Daniel Hill Connelly

On an unseasonably warm day in May, Emma Joe Hill and Robert Connelly welcomed into the world a baby boy, Daniel Hill Connelly. Little did they know what the brilliant blue-eyed child in their arms would accomplish.

Right from the start Danny loved to entertain. Be it his little sister Jane, one of his many beloved cousins, his classmates at the Blessed Trinity School in Miami Springs, or his Boy Scout troop, Dan always had a way of making everyone smile and a different way to see every situation. A joke, a story, a fun fact, he had the ability to paint pictures with his words and pull everyone listening into his universe. A born creative, he was always brimming with ideas, making plans and even the occasional scheme.

Growing into a lanky basketball player in Jacksonville Florida, Danny, or “Stretch” as his classmates referred to him, was already a star. His charisma, thirst for knowledge, and compassion set him apart from his classmates and other Eagles in the Boy Scouts of America. Not to mention his height, standing nearly a head taller than everyone else. Long gone was the child who couldn’t quite get his geography down, though his handwriting never improved. Graduating with honours, he took the lessons he learned and the friendships he forged with him to Florida State University where he pledged Sigma Phi Epsilon, while pursuing his love of Meteorology. Leaving his mark on the brotherhood, every fraternity brother since the class of 1976 knows at least one legend of Disco Dan.

After college and a brief stint following his father’s footsteps in the Military, though choosing the Navy over the Air Force, Dan received a job offer in the heart of Chicago’s social scene at Playboy. Honing his craft as an entertainer and host, he quickly adapted to the fast pace and fast thinking needed for success. Taking everything he learned with him, Dan returned home to Florida and quickly found work as a DJ at Houlihan’s in Jacksonville. No one could control the crowd like Dan. He knew how to get everyone dancing and singing, he knew just how to make people feel special. The crowd and staff favourite alike, Disco Dan was The Man and every weekend Houlihan’s was the place to be.

Just steps away from his future job at a new Houlihan’s, while briefly staying in Boston, Dan met Dianne at Crickets. Struck by her laugh, the fire in her eyes, and devil-may-care attitude packed into a pint-sized woman. Dianne stole Danny’s heart from the moment they met. It wasn’t long before they married, with the most memorable wedding party and portrait of all time. Dianne dressed like a Queen in a stunning white gown, and her King was sporting a black tux and a matching black eye. Their wedding, much like their whole relationship, was filled with laughter, love, and of course some classic Connelly chaos.

A few years later, and after trading Jacksonville for Boston, their long-awaited son, Taylor Cameron Connelly, was born. Their family complete, Dan’s joy brought his work to a new level and served as a constant inspiration. Soon Dan began to think bigger, what if he could take everything he’d learned and put it all together in one company? With his best friend and cohort, Todd Graham, by his side, Total Entertainment and Marketing Enterprises came to fruition. Starting with supplying the booths and DJs for the entire regional chain of Marriotts, they grew the business to include major brands and events eventually employing almost 300 people in 65 markets across the US. Nearly two decades and more than two dozen major projects later, Dan stepped back from TEAM, though the company still exists today and continues to grow.

Fascinated by the tech boom, Dan purchased several domain names as a gamble, in case the whole internet thing panned out. Striking gold with Beer.com, originally used as a way of promoting several of the breweries TEAM Enterprises represented, and later sold for an undisclosed amount.

With newfound financial freedom, Dan was able to return to his original love of entertainment. He spent countless hours rehearsing lines, perfecting his pitch, and auditioning for his next big role. “Hollywood”, as he came to be known, became the consummate extra, with more than a dozen films to his name. In 2016 he made it to the big screen in his supporting role as Dave Ryder in Disney’s “The Finest Hours.”

Throughout all his many successes, Dan still had his trials and tribulations to conquer. Shot during a random robbery while visiting family in Florida, diagnosed with cancer, and burying far too many people he loved. The losses over the years have been many and great but Dan never let them change him. They never made him bitter, jaded, or quick to anger, they only served to reinforce what he already knew. To have faith, to rely on the ones you love to carry you when it gets hard. To always remember that though the path may curve or simply disappear underfoot, stand strong, hold your chin high and smile, the adventure is yet to come.

Daniel Hill Connelly had many names. Stretch, Disco, Hollywood; and he wore many hats: Son, Brother, Friend, Boss, Entrepreneur, Confidant; but the ones he wore proudest were Husband and Father. Anyone who ever had the chance to talk to him for even a minute heard about Dianne and Taylor, and maybe the cats like Milo and his soulcat Chewy. His love for Dianne ran deep in his soul. His pride in Taylor showed in his eyes. Truly the greatest of all his creations, Taylor is his father’s son and continues his legacy every day. With warm hugs, compassion, and a jig or two he will continue to honour his father and live every day with two goals: Think of something new, and hug someone dear.